Howard Roy Deutch (born September 14, 1950) is an American film and television director who worked with filmmaker John Hughes, directing two of Hughes's best-known screenplays, Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful. Since 2011, he has primarily directed television productions, including multiple episodes of Getting On and True Blood.
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Early life and career
Deutch was born in New York City. His parents were Pamela (née Wolkowitz) and Murray Deutch, a music executive and publisher. His uncle is actor Robert Walden (who is his mother's brother). Deutch was raised in a Jewish family. He graduated from George W. Hewlett High School and attended Ohio State University. He began his career in the advertising department of United Artists Records, where his father was company president. Deutch directed music videos for performers such as Billy Idol ("Flesh for Fantasy") and Billy Joel ("Keeping the Faith"). Deutch's feature-length directorial debut was the John Hughes-penned Brat Pack film Pretty in Pink. His next two directorial efforts were also written by Hughes: Some Kind of Wonderful and The Great Outdoors.
Deutch has directed three sequel films: Grumpier Old Men, The Odd Couple II, and The Whole Ten Yards. During a hiatus from features, he directed episodic television, including two installments of Tales from the Crypt and the pilot episode of Melrose Place.
Deutch directed his wife in four episodes of Caroline in the City, and his daughter Zoey in one episode of Ringer.
In 2022, Deutch directed the Lifetime TV film Buried in Barstow.
Personal life
Deutch met his wife, actress Lea Thompson, during the filming of Some Kind of Wonderful; she was also featured in Article 99, his first feature venture without Hughes. They have two daughters, Madelyn Deutch and Zoey Deutch, both of whom are actresses.
Deutch teaches the Saturday advanced acting and directing class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Awards
Nominated for DGA Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television in 2003 for Gleason (2002)
Earned a CableACE Award for his direction of an episode of the HBO series Tales From the Crypt entitled Dead Right.
Filmography
Film
1986: Pretty in Pink
1987: Some Kind of Wonderful
1988: The Great Outdoors
1992: Article 99
1994: Getting Even with Dad
1995: Grumpier Old Men
1998: The Odd Couple II
2000: The Replacements
2004: The Whole Ten Yards
2008: My Best Friend's Girl
TV series
1989–1990: Tales from the Crypt
1992: Melrose Place
1995–1998: Caroline in the City
2002: Watching Ellie
2011: Life Unexpected
2011: Big Love
2011: Hung
2012: Ringer
2012–2013: Warehouse 13
2012: Emily Owens M.D.
2013: CSI: NY
2013: American Horror Story: Coven
2013: Getting On
2013–2014: True Blood